Your Pet When the Kids Go Back to School

If your pet usually hangs out with your kids during summer vacation, having them go back to school can be tough. Your kids are suddenly missing from your pet’s daily life, which can be hard for them to adjust to. Your pet might end up with anxiety, which can cause behavior problems. At Summit Dog and Cat Hospital, we know how difficult this change in routine can be for pets. Our veterinary care team in Summit would like to provide a few tips on how to help your pet.

Keep Your Pet Occupied

Your pet might be bored if they’re used to spending time with your kids, especially if they normally play together for hours. Take your pet to the dog park, play with your cat in the house, or find other ways to keep pets busy. Puzzle toys can give pets something to focus on, for example. This can help prevent anxiety caused by boredom. Look into daycare if you’re unable to keep your pet busy during the day, such as if you work.

Recognize Signs of Anxiety

Your pet might start having accidents around the house, bark or whine a lot, chew on household items, or engage in other behaviors due to anxiety. Identifying signs of anxiety can help you determine what to do about your pet’s behavior.

See Our Veterinarian for a Checkup

Make sure an undiagnosed health problem isn’t causing your pet to act up around the house or show other signs of anxiety. Our vet can examine your pet and offer a diagnosis or rule out health issues. We can also advise you on how to handle your pet’s anxious behavior using desensitization, counterconditioning, and other treatment approaches.

Find Help for Pet Anxiety in Summit, NJ

If your pet is having behavior problems due to anxiety, call (908) 273-2200 for an appointment at Summit Dog and Cat Hospital. Our veterinarian can do a veterinary exam to look for potential health issues that might cause your pet’s behavioral issues. Are you looking for a veterinarian near me? We can also offer guidance on how to deal with anxious pets.